News Archive
UTU to Congress: ‘Get serious on security’
WASHINGTON — America learned a tragic lesson a decade ago when armed terrorists gained entry to the flight decks of multiple commercial airliners. The results of 9/11 will live in infamy. Inexplicably, neither railroads nor the federal government has moved to require th [...]Amtrak GC Roger Lenfest, 65, dies
General Chairperson Roger Lenfest (Amtrak, GO 769), age 65, died July 10 following a short illness. Lenfest, of Sicklerville, N.J., succeeded Al Suozzo as general chairperson following Suozzo’s death in March 2010. Assistant General Chairperson Dirk Sampson becomes acting gen [...]
Recipe for success: Safety first
By Vic BaffoniVice President, Bus Department I recently spoke with UTU Local 1785 (Santa Monica, Calif.) member William Alvarenga, who has driven a motor coach for more than 30 years and who has been commended for his safe and courteous driving record. I asked Brother Alvaren [...]Former Local 997 officer charged in embezzlement
A former secretary-treasurer of UTU Local 997 (Camp Hill, Pa.) has been charged with embezzling union funds. Brandon S. Borders, 47, of Harrisburg, Pa., was indicted by a federal grand jury on the charge, according to U.S. Attorney Peter J. Smith. The indictment alleges Borde [...]Seminars for women in transportation careers
Two separate two-day online dialogues focusing on unique issues for women in blue-collar transportation careers are offered at no charge by the U.S. Department of Transportation. July 11-15: How do we best describe and promote women working in skilled, blue-collar transportat [...]House bill would slash Amtrak, transit funding
WASHINGTON – The Republican leadership of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee will introduce legislation July 8 to slash Amtrak’s federal subsidy by 25 percent, prevent federal funds from being used to create additional rail passenger services unless they [...]Rail CEO sentenced on campaign contribution charges
MILWAUKEE – The president of regional railroad Wisconsin & Southern, William Gardner, was sentenced to 24 months’ probation by a state court here after pleading guilty to improperly donating some $53,000 to the election campaign of Wisconsin’s Republican Gov. Scott Walker [...]